With the Penguins finishing their season Thursday night with a win over the Washington Capitals, it was time to clean out their lockers and hold exit interviews with the media, which happens every season with every team after their season comes to an end.
But there was one Penguins player that really made himself stand out and what his intentions are, when he answered questions and talked to the media on Friday. That player is Erik Karlsson, who Penguins fans have had mixed feelings about all season long.
With his comments, it seems that he expects General Manager Kyle Dubas to trade him and find him a new home come next season.
Erik Karlsson said his desire to win the Stanley Cup hasn't changed. Was frustrated late in the season because being in a non-playoff spot isn't where he wants to be.
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 18, 2025
"It's a business," he said when saying he enjoys it here but knows things could be uncertain. #Pens
What went right for Erik Karlsson this season?
Evaluating defensemen is always a tough task. They can not be evaluated like forwards because their job and position are vastly different. But when it comes to Erik Karlsson, he liked to play a lot of offense and has a killer shot when it is utilized.
That is the main thing that went right for Karlsson this season. He had 11 goals and 42 assists in all 82 games played this season. When the Penguins had that mini win streak that propelled them to 6 points out of the final wildcard spot late in the season, he scored a massive goal against the Devils to get the Penguins a win.
Karlsson also scored his 200th career goal late in the season against the Blackhawks. What a milestone for him.
Erik Karlsson becomes the 24th defenseman in NHL history and second active blueliner to score 200 career goals 🚨
— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) April 9, 2025
pic.twitter.com/nMcOeKgzvJ
What went wrong for Karlsson this season?
Well, when watching Karlsson, it is very easy to tell that he does not like to play defense even though that is part of his job.
The thing that goes wrong for Karlsson each season is his attention to detail and his desire to play defense. He lets players go around him and makes a lot of really dumb pinches in the offensive zone which lead to odd-man rushes back the other way.
If the Penguins decide to move on from Karlsson this offseason and try to find a trade partner, look for Penguins fans to rejoice as they hope to find someone to replace him that can actually play defense and gives an effort to play defense.